Bonn Acts on Jewish Request for Care of Graves of Nazi Victims

October 4, 1962

BONN (Oct. 3)

The West German Minister of the Interior notified the Central Council of the Jews of Germany today that under a projected graves law, graves in concentration camp cemeteries will receive the same care given to war graves.

The bill, which is expected not to create any differences among the parties in the West German Parliament, will also provide for the preservation of cemeteries “to guarantee the peace of the dead. ” The Central Council applied to the Ministry for such measures five months ago.

Meanwhile, it was reported today that the Jewish cemetery in the south German town of Fellheim has been desecrated. Of the cemetery’s 187 headstones, 29 were knocked over and broken to pieces, but police said there were no anti-Semitic slogans smeared on them. The desecration was regarded as surprising since there are no Jews living in the Fellheim area. The once thriving Jewish community of 500 persons no longer exists.